[Kyle Harris]

I must admit, watching the players knock in on the 18th on the drive is exciting to watch, especially when the Valley of Sin comes into play.

Could similar holes be adopted as one shotters of say... 270-300 yards from the back tees?

Put a deep swale in one of the front halves of the green and no bunkers. Make the player run the shot on the green through the swale, or one the high side...

Is this in use anywhere?

[wsmorrison]

An old example of this can be considered at Merion's 17th that now can play as long as 250 yards.  Nearly from its beginning the feature was referred to as a conceptual variation of the Valley of Sin.  Given the nature of the soil and weather differences, it doesn't play the same as often as the 18th at TOC.  Soil and climate would have to be similar to have a hole that plays similarly on a regular basis.

It was also noted that the current 3rd played as a Redan.  The green might have been remodelled after that comparison was made.  Either that or the person that spoke of its likeness to a Redan wasn't really clear what a Redan hole was.

[John_Conley]

Isn't this the idea behind a 225 yard Biarritz hole?  I know techology and other improvements have rendered these holes a carried 3-iron for Tour players, but I thought the intent was to challenge with length.

[Eric Pevoto]

French Creek's 17th at about 240 from back plays much like this.  Slightly uphill and usually into the wind, it's not a driver (except on occasion) but it definitely calls for a low trajectory, running shot.  The front right half of the approach has a valley of sin type (like Merion's) swale while the left side is relatively at green level.

[Kyle Harris]

John,

Good thought with the Biarritz, however, I was under the impression that bunkering was an integral part of that design, as well as a forced carry. I am speaking of a open hole where the player can bail out left or right, leaving a pitch to the green. Or he can challenge the swale and try to get it up to the green.

Eric,

Does the 17th at French Creek have any bunkering or hazard between the tee and green?

[Eric Pevoto]

Kyle,

The 17th at FC does have a pretty massive cross bunker about 75 yards short of the green.  It effects only the very worst of shots.

As to your criteria, though, it may not fit all too well.  There is the cross bunker, and there is really no bail on the right due to a line of flanking bunkers and land form (abruptment) short and right.

[Tags:]

Tags:

[Tags:]

Tags:

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()